tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313Tue, 07 Oct 2014 03:03:06 +0000Life is like...busy, frustrating, happy, sad, fast, fun, difficult, easy, a struggle, different, same, sweet, challenging but most of all for the most part I think my life isn't bad and mostly it is good. http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Amanda)Blogger302125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-5927949130874393040Wed, 13 May 2009 12:56:00 +00002009-05-13T23:13:21.390+10:00Work life balance and the will to winThat is a myth I think.<br /><br />It's Wednesday I have been working for 2 days (I had Monday off) and finished late at 7pm both nights and for one of those nights I have woken and thought about ways to solve the problem till I finally succumbed to sleep.<br /><br />Last week I was at work late most nights and working till midnight working on the same problem.<br /><br />Over the last two days, I have been trying hard to resolve the problem and reach a viable solution, because we must submit a paper which outlines 2 options, recommends a solution and explains the risks of both options.<br /><br />Every step of the way there has been this woman who is so counterproductive in the way she works the only impact she has on me and my team is to make us chase our tails and work in circles - it is excruiating.<br /><br />It is absolutely incredible how that unproductive woman stays in her position. This problem has been haunting some of my colleagues for nearly a year and it finally landed in my lap. I can reach an outcome, but the woman who has kept this going for the year, the counterproductive one is working against me at every step and will keep doing that right till the death - that is the way she has always worked against me. She must be my nemesis.<br /><br />I will get an outcome, despite the complexity and history of this problem (approximately $100 000 has been spent getting legal advice on various ways to solve this problem).<br /><br />Despite my hearing of the death of my Aunt on Monday night, despite me occassionally breaking down in tears in my office over the last two days about the loss of my Aunt, the stress of the work and the problem making caused by this other woman and despite the guilt that I feel because I have to leave it all to my sister to help my mother (my Aunt's carer) through this time, I will finish what many people have not been able to solve.<br /><br />I am resilient. I can achieve. I will win.http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2009/05/work-life-balance-and-will-to-win.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-8360594038737951132Sat, 02 May 2009 06:00:00 +00002009-05-02T16:03:41.306+10:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qbvob1shosE/Sfvhnonk7yI/AAAAAAAAAIc/9Xet_aYX0qU/s1600-h/IMG_4743.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qbvob1shosE/Sfvhnonk7yI/AAAAAAAAAIc/9Xet_aYX0qU/s400/IMG_4743.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center">I don't know what has posessed me to return to this blog? Probably the euphoria of having a computer that makes uploading my photographs easier. This was actually taken a long time ago, Spring in November 2007 to be exact. I suppose with our heading into winter I am drawn towards the end of the year already when things will bloom again. This is a view from down my street. It makes feel lucky to live in this street. <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-dont-know-what-has-posessed-me-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-554375166891643528Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:24:00 +00002007-01-25T22:40:14.657+10:00Return to workHard to believe, I am at the end of my first two weeks of being back at work. Unfortunately I returned to act in the most senior position in the Division, which meant of course I was the boss. Lots of meetings mainly and dealing with staff, dealing with staff, dealing with staff. It seems that is my main occupation at work these days. Some days however I feel like I work for them and not vice versa!<br /><br />In the midst of this P's dear Grandmother died after a slowish decline from about November 2006. When I was told the news less than a week ago, I mainly felt relief. I guess because since November there was such an outpouring of love for her from the family that we actually got to say "I love you" and basically without words "Goodbye." She wasn't conscious in the final couple of weeks, so I also felt that she had already gone by then too.<br /><br />It was a fairly big deal not just because of the loss of her beautiful soul, but because Elliot was close to her and there was some explaining for us to do.<br /><br />We had the funeral on Wednesday, and we asked Elliot to come and speak if he wanted to. Elliot spoke of her in front of the family during the ceremony -we were very proud of him.<br /><br />I wanted the words to come from him, so we lay on my big bed together 3 nights ago and got out the lap top and I asked him what did you think of when you think of Nanny, he said " Lots of feeling" and then when I prompted him " Well she had great catching hands!" Not bad sentiments I know but I knew I could extract more from him so I tried the old tried and true acrostic poem and this is what he came up with and said at the funeral:<br /><br /><em>My GrandNan </em>- an acrostic poem<br /><br />G -GrandNan was a great lady;<br />R- Rated highly by me<br />A- Always remembered my birthday<br />N- Never got mad at me<br />D -Dear to my heart<br />N -Nicest person I will ever know<br />A- Always happy to see me<br />N-No one will take her place<br /><br />I was a very lucky boy to have a Grand Nan and we got to know each other very well and I will always remember her love and kindness.<br /><br />It was a touching moment, Nanny's children spoke, her grandchildren spoke and so did her great grand children - a loving tribute to a beautiful person that I am so much better for having known her - I will miss you Nanny.http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2007/01/return-to-work.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-3296613102195251037Fri, 12 Jan 2007 04:12:00 +00002007-01-12T14:29:14.504+10:00New Bathroom?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qbvob1shosE/RacKwcw16kI/AAAAAAAAACU/chZmuZ_EOEg/s1600-h/TilePlanSm.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qbvob1shosE/RacKwcw16kI/AAAAAAAAACU/chZmuZ_EOEg/s400/TilePlanSm.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />These are the tiles for our new bathroom which is to begin by the end of the month. P used his computer skills to work out how the feature tiles will map out. The chocolate brown tiles at the bottom are actually the floor tiles he didn't have time to 3d properly.<br /><br />The shower will also be inside a semiframe.<br /><br />Not bad P- he has actually chosen it all! <div style="CLEAR: both"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2007/01/new-bathroom.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-3896559069355468204Thu, 28 Dec 2006 05:01:00 +00002006-12-28T15:06:54.488+10:00dialogue"Sank you Mummy!" with her drink in her hand.<br />"Thats all right dear" I say.<br />"No, say - My pleasure!" she replies.<br /><br />"I've got an idea!" she says quite brightly to me, as we are driving off to do some grocery shopping.<br />"What?" I inquire.<br />"Don't say what!" she says.<br />"Sorry, I mean what's your idea?" .<br />"Don't say what!" she says again<br />"Okay tell me about your idea?"<br />There is silence....I think the idea has been forgotten.http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/12/dialogue.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-6741536585120153406Thu, 07 Dec 2006 07:11:00 +00002006-12-09T14:42:15.238+10:00Ever the diplomat<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6377/958/1600/185949/November%2006%20077.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/6377/958/400/890765/November%2006%20077.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Recently turned 3 and a sophisticated miss, and very much adored by all and sundry. She is also very friendly, when I picked her up from day care on Friday, I was told she charmed another Mummy, by putting her arms around her and made comments about her lovely earrings and makeup - Gabriella loves all the trappings of femaledom.<br /><br />When I ask her "How much do you love me" she usually replies "Like Daddy" - Daddy gets the reverse reply when asking the same question. I wonder where she learned diplomacy?<br /><br />I was looking for my gingerbread recipe so start the Christmas baking and read some old posts - I wish I could start writing again I just miss that process, but two years down the track life is so much busier than it used to be its quite sad really, last night I was in bed by 8.30pm. <br /><br />Work has calmed down finally and I no longer wake up before the day starts properly and dread what result I could possibly be asked to produce this week, I was very much dreading work for the first time in ages.<br /><br />Though not an excuse for my intermittent posting I worked out the Blogger beta move is working against me when I have gone to post a picture to this blog or my cooking blog it takes ages to load so I lose patience and give up.http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/12/blog-post.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-2424970181161799032Tue, 17 Oct 2006 10:21:00 +00002006-10-17T20:25:23.572+10:00Cricket Fever<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6377/958/1600/IMG_3893.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6377/958/320/IMG_3893.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6377/958/1600/IMG_3894.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/6377/958/320/IMG_3894.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Dear Gabriella has caught cricket fever from Elliot. This is Elliot's first year of club competition with his first game beginning last Saturday morning. I knew he was looking forward to it, but I didn't expect him coming into our bedroom at 5.30am in his underwear and pads reminding us that he was playing that day -gently admonishing him I called out yes, yes, we know its the big day, but please put some pants on before you put your cricket pads on!<br /><br />I took him to buya helmet on Saturday afternoon, it was fun but definately a venture into new territority for me as P normally takes the role of taking Elliot's to sport shops for bits and pieces. We were going to buy gloves too but I have this thing about kids getting things all at once, and then expecting things to happen all at once when their adults. I think there are some good lessons to learn from understanding there are advantages in delaying gratification and managed to placate him with a promise to revisit things like shoes, gloves, cricket bags and cricket clothes over the next month or so. In looking at all the pads, gloves and helmets that can be purchased I honestly felt like I was kitting out a gladiator not a mere 8 year old boy!<br /><br /> <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a>http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/10/cricket-fever.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-115951523631719351Fri, 29 Sep 2006 07:32:00 +00002006-09-29T17:33:56.333+10:00NewsI got my job. Of course though when I return to work next week I take on a new role and will be acting in a higher position. This new job is vacant and I will get to sit in it for a few months and will apply for it as well! So who knows... stay tuned more change is a coming.http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/09/news.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-115908713946265115Sun, 24 Sep 2006 08:38:00 +00002006-09-24T21:38:28.903+10:00Spring Cousins<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/320/collage.10.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #660066 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #660066 2px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #660066 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #660066 2px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/400/collage.10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Is the title of the folder with these photographs in it. We went to New Farm park today for some updated photographs of the Elliot, Gabi and their cousin Mason. As usual I underestimated how difficult it would be. Gabriella has to hell "monkees" for the photos or we get her wincing instead of smiling when instructed. Plus she just wanted to run amok in the park... as children do. Some great photographs of Mason and Elliot, and just darn cute ones of Gabi even if she was doing something odd at the time. Never a waste of time to have them done I think.http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/09/spring-cousins.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-115875256433595101Wed, 20 Sep 2006 11:05:00 +00002006-09-20T21:42:55.553+10:00Waiting...to find out if I am going to be offered my job. If your in the Service you will know what I mean. Yesterday I had an interview for my job. My job is the management role I have been working in since May this year, although it's not technically my job. I have been acting in it. The person who owned the job vacated it and went to another agency a sideways move. Lots of change management going on where I work.<br /><br />So I fell into this position not long after the project I have been working on for the last 2 years started winding down. First I went to the top floor where our most senior execs are, I was one of the more junior officers but a promotion nevertheless from my project job. Then when this new job became vacant, I was asked to fill it. Then when it was advertised, I applied for it and based on my written application I was interviewed yesterday and now I wait to see if they will offer it to me.<br /><br />I haven't done a formal interview since 1999! I have interviewed people but have not had to subject myself to this process for some time, I have been making sideways moves through the service basically on 2 page resumes asked for by people who know my work and essentially I have been able to work somewhere else other than in my permanent position.<br /><br />This will be, if I am offered the job, my first upwards move since 1999, and it will be up two levels. I have some worthy adversaries, one person has also acted in the job and the other person is well-regarded by our management - I respect both of them I think they would be excellent so it won't be too hard if I lose to them. I am pragmatic if nothing else about jobs, it will only be the seond time in 10 years that I have applied for a new job, the first time I was confident they wanted me, this time, I think they would like to give it to me, it will all depend on me of course - the quality of my interview compared to my adversaries!<br /><br /><u>The interview<br /></u>I spent most of last week procrastinating about preparing for the interview. I ended up looking at some things, Strategic Plan, some theory on making policy, my agencies other agencies policy positions, but didn't dedicate any real time to it. In retrospect I know why I procrastinated, because on the day of the interview I finally sat down and devoted a few hours to the task and while I did that, I realised how many gaps there were in my memory, what is the agencies vision? purpose? motto? the major themes of the strategic plan? what are our major challenges and projects? what is the history to some particular policies and what is our position now and so on and so on ... till I had a true crisis of confidence and thought I just don't know enough, how the hell can I do this job!<br /><br />Just before I left home to go to the interview, I rang P and fessed up about how I know nothing, he calmed me down with this "You've been doing the job haven't you?" to which I replied "Yes, I am doing the job"<br /><br />I also got a great vote of confidence from one of our senior executives leaving the building the night before the interview, she said "I hope you get the job, I think your good" so I began to focus on some positives thoughts before I went to the interview.<br /><br />I still think I could have done better in the interview, and after Ell woke me up around 1.30am this mornig due to his having a sore throat I then spent about 3 hours reliving the interview, recalling every stupid thing I said and every good thing I should have said...<br /><br />If I find out by the end of the week I will post again.<br /><br />I have always felt this was my year for great change.. have to wait and see.http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/09/waiting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-115788879191596334Sun, 10 Sep 2006 11:46:00 +00002006-09-10T21:58:11.116+10:00New shoes pads and the box<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/320/IMG_3837.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #660066 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #660066 2px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #660066 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #660066 2px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/400/IMG_3837.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />New pads<br /><br />I wasn't the only one who went shopping today.<br /><br />P took El for new shoes today and picked up some extra stuff. Elliot couldn't stop talking about "the box" once he got home. I told him I knew what the purpose of "the box" was protection etc. and that he need not talk about it anymore it's just not that novel.<br /><br />The point of all the new equipment is that this season he will play competition cricket. P wanted him to get used to the equipment so took him outside for some practice.<br /><br />The Gabster didn't go without either.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3192/504/1600/IMG_3834.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3192/504/320/IMG_3834.jpg" border="0" /></a>http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/09/new-shoes-pads-and-box.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-115788697316059484Sun, 10 Sep 2006 11:16:00 +00002006-09-10T21:32:34.503+10:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/320/IMG_3839.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #660066 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #660066 2px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #660066 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #660066 2px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/400/IMG_3839.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Rainy Sunday afternoon tea<br /><br />Story about the scones over <a href="http://gourmetaddict.blogspot.com/2006/09/rain-sunday-shopping-and-scones.html">here</a>.http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/09/rainy-sunday-afternoon-tea-story-about.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-115788601595838226Sun, 10 Sep 2006 10:54:00 +00002006-09-10T21:00:15.980+10:00I am postingup a storm over at the food blog. I don't know what this means, but now that the government is back this week I may not be posting for another 2 and a half years. I am so damn busy at work, it makes it very hard to find the down time for this. But instead of packing it in I will persist.<br /><br />Some fantastic news, P and I are buying Ms Laura Ashley with Quinces, the photo id I use. It was meant to be. After nearly a year I noticed she is still available and contacted the artist, it will be a lovely 10th wedding anniversary and I plan to redecorate our bedroom around her. Can't wait till she is home.<br /><br />I have booked P and I are double treatment at my favourite day spa as an anniversary treat as well. I am used to such treats and it P will be a day spa virgin. I am sure he will enjoy he will just have to give himself over the the absolute relaxation. Afterwards dinner at our favourite <a href="http://www.thecornerbistro.com.au/">bistro</a> around the corner.<br /><br />I am possibly being interviewed for the job I have been doing for the last 4 months, crunch time indeed!http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/09/i-am-posting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-115681357794748768Tue, 29 Aug 2006 00:51:00 +00002006-08-29T11:07:48.966+10:00HomeI am here I am not at work. In fact I have not been at work for about a week and two days! On holidays so I have to enjoy it while I can. We did go somewhere else and dined <a href="http://www.grossiflorentino.com/">here </a>and <a href="http://www.vuedemonde.com.au/">here</a>.<br /><br />There were no kiddies for 3 glorious nights - just big fluffy pillows and lots of sleep and good food, company and shopping. P and I dream of moving to <a href="http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=23&amp;pg=966">this</a> city we love, love, love it down there.<br /><br />But being the slack buggers that we are, we won't put the effort into moving but who knows.. one day.<br /><br />So apart from going to Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast I am spending this week with my very hilarious daughte who keeps us very amused with her growing vocabulary and impish antics.<br /><br />Not all fun and games unfortunately I have to find her some alternative day care for about 3 days - while her Aunt recovers from pneumonia. It has been difficult but nevertheless it has been arranged and at a cost of course. She is quite a confident child so I am hoping that having this change will not be too hard.<br /><br />So what does a busy working mother do in her down time well yesterday I cleaned my oven and pantry out - what enormous jobs they were especially since the oven was just belted this winter with roasts galore.<br /><br />I will return to this later I am feeling bad that I am writing instead of spending time with Gabi.http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/08/home.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-115123402625127776Sun, 25 Jun 2006 10:58:00 +00002006-06-25T21:13:46.266+10:00Not guiltyI certainly no longer have the sense of guilt I used to have when I neglected my posting. I simply don't have the time I used to. I worked out the other day I am lucky to work below 50 hours a week these days. So coming home and getting ready for the next day or staying up to midnight to do some work, means I just don't fit in anything from my former life.<br /><br />I don't get to lunch with any of my former colleagues or leave the office very often during the day. The 10 hours in one office can fly. I have an expansive view yet I am surprised the other night when I leave that it is raining. <br /><br />I have been getting a few questions about my lifestyle choices at the moment or maybe my lack of work-life balance. Alot of women, mothers, who don't work or work two days a week simply can't comprehend what I am doing. <br /><br />I usually reply - I have to work full-time I get asked to do jobs more senior with more responsibility. I can't and don't say no, its not like I am giving up work anytime soon or even going part-time. It comes with the territory. <br /><br />I have gotten to an age when I have to think will it be me who is the boss or will I report to someone else for the rest of my life. I find it very difficult I have never managed people as such and now I manage about 10 people. I don't think I am even terribly good at it, sometimes I get told No I am leaving I don't have time for the work you want to give me, so I take it back to my office and I do it! I have always promised myself not to talk about work, this is coming dangerously close. <br /><br />School holidays started so I dropped El and Gabriella up at my mother's for the week. It is always a rest for P and me to only have to deal with ourselves and work. Miss them madly already though. Especially imploring Gabi to please, please keep some clothing on - it is winter after all! P will miss waking up El to watch the soccer tomorrow night too. <br /><br />Maybe I will get a chance to catch up on posting this week, especially cooking I cooked a classic dinner for some good friends leaving to reside in Tasmania this week. I was encouraged to try my hand at an English roast - rib on the bone, yorkshire pudding and potatoes in goose fat, beans in lemon butter. And a steamed golden syrup pudding. <br /><br />We have been quite madly entertaining lately. I say madly because nearly every weekend I bring home work so on Saturdays it is full steam ahead, washing, vacuuming, washing the floors, dusting, tidying, shopping, cooking and then more cleaning. They are the dinners we must have rather than the dinner parties we want to. Sundays we are shattered. There is just no time to smell the roses!http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/06/not-guilty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-114820794277699579Sun, 21 May 2006 10:39:00 +00002006-05-21T20:42:53.710+10:00The dream - World Cup Glory<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/320/ell.0.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #660066 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #660066 2px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #660066 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #660066 2px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/400/ell.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I love that P enjoys putting so much effort into helping Elliot with his homework. Frankie the school bear came home this weekend.<br /><br />P and E decided this photograph of Elliot and Frankie in the Australian soccer kit would really add something extra to the diary recital. Lately Elliot is keen to have P help him, but not willing to do much to assist.<br /><br />We told him that P’s effort is to reflect Elliot’s effort, which means the ante must be upped, especially if E wants to produce exciting work that other students will enjoy too. So after P did the photograph, Elliot, my boy whom I thought would never develop fine motor skills two years ago - wrote in his very best hand, I am so impressed.http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/05/dream-world-cup-glory.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-114816549726713897Sat, 20 May 2006 22:43:00 +00002006-05-21T08:51:37.313+10:00Birthday weekA week that began with Mother’s day and incorporated a birthday can’t be all bad.<br /><br />In fact I was feted and spoiled. Tuesday was the day, and I went to work as usual. Being in the service there are many employees who I have encountered that view their birthday as an excuse to take the day off. I am not one of them.<br /><br />Why stay at home, fairly much alone after the morning ritual of birthday greetings and breakfasting and the family go about their day. I mean it’s not their birthday so they will go to school, care or work.<br /><br />When you go to work on your birthday, those of your friend’s who will know it’s your birthday leave you little gifts, arrange to meet you for coffee, or lunch and generally treat you especially nice. I also baked some cakes to share with my new team in the afternoon and went to lunch with some good friends who shouted my lunch.<br /><br />My birthday loot wasn’t bad either. I will post a picture of the beautiful bromeliaed, a gorgeous shawl (I plan to wear to dinner in Melbourne in August) Jamie Oliver’s latest Italian cookbook, a fairy cake cookbook, eye rest, vouchers to buy a lovely white shirt I have seen and a great necklace. My mother bought me the comforter set of my choice for our new king-size bed.<br /><br />I really need to redo all the bedrooms; painting and roman blinds for every room would be the first things to get in order. I have started with the linen for the beds and the wall colours will eventually follow – that’s because P has to do all that stuff.<br /><br />Strangely enough, I unexpectedly had Wednesday off, Gabi's aunt having the flu meant we were looking for other options. P actually took her to work on Tuesday, it was too late to change my plans to watch her. The next day off however was a welcome break, this year I have really upped the ante with my work committments.<br /><br />This weekend I am relaxing, some cooking (made one of Jamie’s eggplant, tomato and bocconcini pastas last night) a little bit of catching up with work and generally enjoy the warm days. We also enjoyed a bottle of a Brown Brothers red (1995) we had kept for the last 6 years. Time to drink well and truly.http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/05/birthday-week.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-114760115053108158Sun, 14 May 2006 10:05:00 +00002006-05-14T20:05:50.536+10:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/320/IMG_3480.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #660066; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/400/IMG_3480.jpg'></a><br />Gabriella's card http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/05/gabriellas-card.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-114760107956785715Sun, 14 May 2006 10:05:00 +00002006-05-14T20:10:13.486+10:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/320/IMG_3481.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #660066 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #660066 2px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #660066 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #660066 2px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/400/IMG_3481.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Elliot's Mother's day cardhttp://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/05/elliots-mothers-day-card.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-114760112471112539Sun, 14 May 2006 10:03:00 +00002006-05-14T20:13:10.826+10:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/320/IMG_3485.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #660066 2px solid; BORDER-TOP: #660066 2px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #660066 2px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #660066 2px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/400/IMG_3485.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Speaks for itself!<br /><br />Last two words in case you can't work them out: "house work"<br /><br />P had to restrain him from writing "all" instead of "most".http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/05/speaks-for-itself-last-two-words-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-114749149379302892Sat, 13 May 2006 03:09:00 +00002006-05-13T13:40:20.316+10:00Some email stories<u>Story one. </u><br /><br />Yesterday I was sent an email from a colleague - to let me know what the project is that he is involved in and I suppose to keep me in the loop.<br /><br />I reply: It is my plan that the team use a central tasklist compiled by another team member to track our work. So if anyone is away we are informed and can take action their projects/tasks need attention etc. etc.<br /><br />He replies: "<em>Does this mean we have to be team players</em>?"<br /><br />My thoughts (as boss of two weeks and having known this fellow about one week of it): Is he joking? I am forcing my views on the team? Does he want to be a loner? Is he implying that I should lead by example and be a team player - I interact with my old team quite a bit maybe he doesn't like that?<br /><br />My email reply: Long and rambling, not forcing my views on anyone, though hope you recognise the benefits of working in a team., I don't want to know your comings and goings just what your projects are......etc. etc. etc. blah, blah, blah.<br /><br />He pops by my office: "<em>It was a joke</em>."<br /><br />I drop by to see him later: "Well the problem with me is I over-analyse every word - occupational hazard being a lawyer. I cite a recent example, a male friend sent me an email to congratulate me on my new position, and used the words "<em>nice to see people rewarded for their longevity</em>"<br /><br />I of course then spent about 15 mins pondering - does he mean I am old!, could he mean because I have been with the organisation 2 years - is that considered a long time these days?<br /><br />I forward his email to another friend for a second opinion and ask her what does she think he means; she replies "He means congratulations"<br /><br /><u>Story two.<br /></u><br />Yesterday a long day - some hiccups in the morning, and spent half my day trying to sort out something which would not have been a problem if I had been given the correct version of the document in the first place. Lots of exasperating things I am spending time on without any feeling of accomplishment.<br /><br />At 5.30pm at the end of a long week, I decide to send my last email attaching a number of documents, I cc a host of people throughout my organisation and the recipients and another organisation.<br /><br />My good friend (the one who I asked the second opinion of above) is standing by me as the spell check automatically begin, the final check before the email is sent .<br /><br />I tell her how I the other day - I accidentally allowed the spell check to insert the word "cello" over the acronym for a job title of a person in the organisation so it read something to the effect "the cello will review the document." Felt like an idiot of course.<br /><br />As I relate this story, my spell check moves to the word "anticipate" and in the context of the email it says " X and Y anticipate". In my tiredness and my hurry to leave for the day I have misspelled anticipate and as I talk, I am clicking the mouse, before I know it I have replaced "anticipate" with "antipasti" and the email is gone. gone. gone. gone.<br /><br />Friend and I laugh hysterically, I have now sent an antipasti email!<br /><br />On Monday they will all get the antipasti email.<br /><br />I ask, and if there is anyone reading, I really want to know because I feel like such a tool, do I compound the email error and send another email to all saying I meant to say "anticipate".?http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/05/some-email-stories.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-114717151957940647Tue, 09 May 2006 10:17:00 +00002006-05-09T20:47:21.136+10:005 Things GoodOkay, I actually do feel like posting today, but my main issues weighing upon me to write about would be things I am doing at work and as I don't post about work or try very hard not to, it means I have to do a meme instead via <a href="http://kitschenette.typepad.com/kitschenette/">her</a>.<br /><br />Man most of the time I run a million miles from meme - who woulda thunk it!<br /><br />Given that work is a good proportion of my life lately it's remarkable I can find anything else to occupy my free time - that isn't related to a domestic duty or relationship - so isn't dreary or drudgey or whinegy or just too damn busy (that's the relationship side).<br /><br />So here they are after much thinking 5 Good Things<br /><br />1. Movie: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387131/">The Constant Gardener </a>- a wonderful almost new movie I got to see for a change. It made me examine my social conscience or lack thereof. That it was shot in Kenya and they were the real children of the region, for once I couldn't divorce myself from the make-believe because there was none.<br /><br />A good friend of mine described herself as "a head office princess" I think that would accurately describe my entire career too- never at the coal face always back at head office!<br /><br />Today I had a brush with social and justice issues again. Only the scoping of a policy that will eventuate. I thought of the people on the ground and have great admiration for their dedication. I feel so totally inadequate in the face of the enormity of the problems facing some of our society - I am glad there are people out their who think about the issues, pose solutions and who keep getting us together to work on the issues from one angle or another.<br /><br />2. Loving the <a href="http://www.deliciousmagazine.com.au/">Delicious </a>magazine subscription I was given this year.<br /><br />3. This wonderful weather - days of sun, and cool nights to snuggle and lots of comfort food to make.<br /><br />4. Our new king-size bed after 11 years we finally have a great big bed, which means when your child is with you it doesn't make a difference to the quality of your sleep.<br /><br />5. My husband playing me <a href="http://www.theshins.com/">new music </a>- and music he has found on this <a href="http://www.3hive.com/">website</a>. (One of the contributor's is Dooce's husband) P who does not read Dooce but knows that I do was surprised to make the connection.http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/05/5-things-good.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-114716944974063728Tue, 09 May 2006 10:10:00 +00002006-05-09T20:10:49.750+10:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/320/IMG_3378.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #660066; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/400/IMG_3378.jpg'></a><br />Mummy helps Daddy dress Gabi day. http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/05/mummy-helps-daddy-dress-gabi-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-114716941508541155Tue, 09 May 2006 10:10:00 +00002006-05-09T20:10:15.150+10:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/320/IMG_3360.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:2px solid #660066; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/285/1434/400/IMG_3360.jpg'></a><br />Daddy dresses Gabi day.http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/05/daddy-dresses-gabi-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854313.post-114665852748905406Wed, 03 May 2006 11:58:00 +00002006-05-03T22:26:25.866+10:00Surprise, surprise a meme that might by youyouFor some reason this one really made me feel like doing it, its truly inexplicable, found it via <a href="http://www.ampersandduck.blogspot.com/">her </a>and <a href="http://anyresemblance.typepad.com/">her.</a><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Accent</span>: Years ago I recall being constantly told I had a polished English accent. I don’t get told that so much, so maybe my accent has broadened. I have been wondering why Gabriella sings nursery rhymes like she listens to a lot of ‘Kath & Kim". I quote: ‘Loike a Diomond in the skoi" I have captured her on quick-time I am tempted to post it a-la- dooce and Leta. I also speak quite fast<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Booze</span>: Not as much as I used to, I can really leave it these days. Like to have a few with the girls after work – nothing like a hard day’s work and a few wines and a giggle.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Chore I hate</span>: Going to the Directorate meetings indeed nearly all meetings these days. Last meeting I went to I was only in the job 4 hours and I knew that one of my staff would be getting bad-mouthed, luckily I went with two other very level-headed individuals.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Dog or cat</span>: 1 dog and no more cats – started to think about the impact of cats on the environment so when I returned the cat I got in the cat-swap I decided no more.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Essential electronics</span>: Television and the Computer<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Favourite cologne(s)</span>: lately revisiting Oscar De La Renta , wouldn't mind investing in some Chanel No. 5 again, sometimes I use Chloe and Shalimar.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Gold or silver</span>: Rose gold for me.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Hometown</span>: Has to be Brisvegas it’s where I have lived most of my adult life.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Insomnia</span>: Whenever I start over-thinking legislative issues. It has happened a few times already this year: due to some draft legislative provisions and the scenarios I was trying to make sure they captured.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Job title</span>: For the last month I was the Acting CLLO, and for the last 2 days I have been Acting Director (Strategic Policy) – means nothing to many but those in Government would know what I have been doing. To people I meet I usually say I work for the Government.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Kids</span>: One boy 7 and one girl 2<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Living arrangements</span>: One man, one boy, one girl and one dog – 3 bedrooms needs a new bathroom, large deck, large yard.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Most admirable trait</span>: Thinks strategically and will commit and will rise to a challenge, when needed.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Number of sexual partners</span>: 2000000000000000000000……….only joking, I don’t kiss and tell.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Overnight hospital stays</span>: 2 periods thus far and hoping that's it too, and were baby-related.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Phobias</span>: Fear that I will be found out that I am not as smart as people think I am.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Quote:</span> Can’t remember a joke nor a quote to save my life, if you were test me I would commit one to memory and after the test immediately forget it when some other more useful information needed to take up the space in my brain.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Religion</span>: Not sure, not entirely averse, but mostly not sure - sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be a believer. I was waiting for the bus one morning and a nicely dressed young woman sat beside me and pulled out her bible and I looked at the underlined passages, what is she getting out of that I thought, is it something that will happen to me ever?<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Siblings: </span>One brother haven’t seen since 1994 and one sister – who I see regularly.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Time I wake up</span>: Mostly between 6am - 6.30am week days and 8.30am weekends.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Unusual talent or skill</span>: Being bored out of my brain in Legal Practice lectures I taught myself how to write with my left-hand ( I am right-handed of course)<br /><br />I would also compile some pretty nasty nude tunnel ball teams made up out of some of my University colleagues sitting around me for one of my males friends for fun.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Vegetable I refuse to eat</span>: potatoes in stews.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Worst habit</span>: My husband would say staying up late watching trashy t.v. the latest object of my affections "Hotel Babylon" last one was that Hairdressing show - English again, love my Brit t.v., Doc Martin, Red Cap, some of those dark, dark detective murder, suspense, political type things on the ABC.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">X-rays</span>: Most recently on my mouth for periodontal treatment oh boobs too - beginning of free mamograms!<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Yummy foods I make</span>: see <a href="http://www.gourmetaddict.blogspot.com">www.gourmetaddict.blogspot.com</a><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Zodiac sign:</span> I rarely ever read star sign predictions. I am an a-typical Taurean, my husband Cancer (we're a good match so the stars say) Elliot - Scorpio and Gabriella Libra, I haven't even read about Gabriella's star sign!http://gabrielliot.blogspot.com/2006/05/surprise-surprise-meme-that-might-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amanda)2